Mamata Banerjee Unleashes Fury: Alleges 'Outsiders' Flooding Bhowanipore for Bypoll

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has ignited a political firestorm, launching a scathing accusation that “outsiders” are being deliberately brought into the Bhowanipore constituency to manipulate the upcoming by-election. Speaking at a fervent rally, a visibly impassioned Banerjee called upon the Election Commission to intervene immediately and thwart what she described as a brazen attempt to influence the poll outcomes in her crucial traditional stronghold.

The Trinamool Congress (TMC) supremo specifically pointed fingers at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that they are orchestrating the influx of individuals from other districts.

“They are bringing outsiders from different districts, booking hotels for them and providing hired cars. I ask the Election Commission to check their addresses, their voter details,” Banerjee declared, her words echoing through the crowd. She stressed that these alleged infiltrators do not genuinely belong to Bhowanipore and are merely present to cast illicit votes.

The by-election in Bhowanipore is not just another poll; it’s a high-stakes battle for Mamata Banerjee, who must win this seat to retain her position as Chief Minister after her unexpected defeat in Nandigram during the assembly elections.

Having previously represented Bhowanipore for a decade, the constituency holds immense symbolic and political significance for her. The outcome is critical for her continued leadership of West Bengal, amplifying her accusations with an urgent undertone.

Banerjee’s address was punctuated by a stern warning to the Election Commission: “Don't allow outsiders to vote.

Don't allow them to cast vote. This will not happen. I will not tolerate this.” She vehemently asserted that any attempt to tamper with the electoral process would be met with staunch resistance, reinforcing the integrity of the democratic exercise as paramount.

Bhowanipore, often referred to as a “mini-Bengal” due to its diverse demographic, has historically been a strong bastion for the TMC.

In the previous assembly elections, TMC’s Sovandeb Chattopadhyay had won the seat by a margin of 28,000 votes, a seat he later vacated to pave the way for Banerjee’s re-election bid. The constituency has a mix of Bengali, Gujarati, Sikh, and Bihari voters, making the 'outsider' narrative particularly resonant in this context.

The Chief Minister’s strong words underscore the heated political climate surrounding the Bhowanipore bypoll.

Her allegations signal an intense showdown, placing the Election Commission under pressure to address concerns about electoral fairness amidst claims of systematic voter manipulation. The battle for Bhowanipore is not just about a seat; it's about the very future of West Bengal's political landscape.